Welcome to the vibrant university town of Berkeley, California! As part of the College Foundations Program (CFP) you'll join other international high school graduates preparing for university study.

Attend college-level courses where you'll build English skills and become familiar with typical U.S. university classroom discussions and assignments. Boost your TOEFL and SAT scores through test preparation and get personal college admissions advising.

Recent high school graduates are encouraged to apply for the fall term or a full academic year (spring and fall), sometimes called a "gap year." Either way, you'll receive support from our dedicated staff—from the application process and throughout your time with us.

You'll take classes near the UC Berkeley campus. Study alongside fellow students who are also preparing to attend university. You receive individualized attention and guidance from your instructors, who hold advanced degrees from UC Berkeley and other top-ranked universities. You also get personal college admissions advising to help you identify the best schools for you and to ensure success once you begin your university studies. You can also connect with current UC Berkeley students to get insight on the college application process, as well as navigating Berkeley and U.S. culture.

Making the investment to participate in CFP leads to positive results—CFP graduates have been accepted to numerous prestigious public and private universities.

Beyond the Classroom

When you first arrive in Berkeley, you'll take part in a new-student orientation where you'll meet program staff, your fellow students, and learn more about the area and what to expect. You'll live with or near your classmates, and when not in class you have the option to attend workshops on preparing for college life as well as take part in cultural activities and field trips. The city of Berkeley and the greater San Francisco Bay Area offer museums, cafes, parks, music and more to fill your weekends while introducing you to American culture. Did you know UC Berkeley has also been named one of the best colleges for food in America? Eat lunch with your classmates at the nation's first certified organic kitchen on campus that offers delicious options for everyone, including students with special dietary needs. Or meet with friends for dinner at one of Berkeley's many excellent restaurants. Finally, as the program comes to an end, celebrate your accomplishment with other CFP students, instructors and staff at a closing reception.

Cost does not include visa fees, textbooks, housing costs or travel expenses.

{{ program.name }} English Proficiency Requirements

Applicants must submit official evidence of English-language proficiency. Sometimes exceptions to this requirement are made. Please note that the submission of language proficiency scores or other forms of verification does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

English Language Test

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TOEFL

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TOEIC

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IELTS

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English Proficiency Requirement Exceptions

University study in a country where English is the primary language spoken

If you have completed at least one year of university study in a country where English is the primary language, you can request a waiver.

To do so, when you apply online, upload a letter explaining that English is the primary and official language spoken in your country and include a website or other supporting documentation (e.g., publications or website for government department, ministry, bureau, secretariat or directorate-general) for our verification purposes.

To do so, when you apply online, upload a letter explaining that English is the primary and official language spoken in your country and include a website or other supporting documentation (e.g., publications or website for government department, ministry, bureau, secretariat or directorate-general) for our verification purposes.

One year of full-time, college-level English instruction

If you were taught in English for at least one year, full-time at the undergraduate or graduate level, you can request a waiver.

Your transcript should reflect the coursework that you completed in English. If this is not clearly indicated on your transcript, a supporting letter from your university will need to be submitted in addition to your complete transcripts.

Interview

You can request a language proficiency interview if you meet one of these minimum score requirements: TOEFL 85, IELTS 6.5 or TOEIC 700. If you are not admitted to {{ program.midName || program.name }}, you may be admitted to the BGA-Start Program.

If you would like to request an interview, please state your request in the online application and in your personal statement.

BGA Start English Proficiency Requirements

If you do not meet the requirements for {{ program.midName || program.name }}, you may be eligible to apply for our BGA-Start program.

Student Outcomes

Our students have gone on to attend the following schools:

"Applying to a U.S. school is a complicated process that differs from other countries. Being a CFP student helped me understand the process more clearly and provided me with the necessary resources to make competitive applications for some of the top schools in the country."

—Fares Maimani, CFP Graduate, Saudi Arabia

Where You'll Live

CFP students live with local English-speaking families in homestays located in Berkeley, San Francisco, and nearby areas. Homestays provide a full cultural immersion experience as well as the structure of a family unit. Amenities include meal options, Wi-Fi, laundry, use of common areas and daily opportunities to practice English language skills. Host families are screened regularly.

In addition to receiving dedicated program and housing support, CFP students also participate in regular group social activities.

What You'll Study

Some courses include opportunities to participate in community service activities and may also include guest lectures and visits to Bay Area companies. Below is a sample of course listings, actual course schedule and availability may vary.

Fall Term: August–December (15 Weeks)

Academic English Writing and University Application Essays

Improve your writing by focusing on skills needed to write clearly and with purpose. Learn about different kinds of essay forms while practicing skills relating to strong writing. By the end of the course, you will write more confidently at a university level, you will produce more accurate work, and you will be able to explain why you approach writing the way you do.

You will learn:

The elements of clear, persuasive writing

The structure of academic essays

Essential properties of the university application essay

How to edit written assignments

How to critique other students' work

Strategies to write under different kinds of exam conditions

Exam Preparation for TOEFL and SAT

Gain an understanding of the format of TOEFL and SAT examinations by taking practice tests. By the end of the course, you will be able to identify question types and appropriate response choices. Additionally, you will have an individualized plan to achieve your target examination scores.

You will learn:

The range of vocabulary expected of you as a university student

Basic grammar for effective academic communication

How to develop ideas quickly in writing

Reading strategies for a variety of purposes

The basic forms of academic discourse (compare and contrast, cause and effect, etc.)

The importance of focus and study discipline

Listening and Speaking

For intermediate and advanced speakers of English as a second language, this participatory course builds your confidence in spoken English and overall listening skills. You will develop effective techniques to make oral presentations in a variety of academic and professional contexts, such as

group discussions and debates

classroom explanations and interactions

presentations and negotiations

Most topics will be introduced with a lecture followed by group work that puts ideas and concepts into action.

Precalculus or Calculus

Get the calculus skills you need to enter top U.S. universities if you want to major in mathematics, engineering, economics, or subjects in the physical or life sciences.

You will learn:

Polynomial and rational functions

Exponential and logarithmic functions

Trigonometry and trigonometric functions

Complex numbers

Fundamental theorem of algebra

Mathematical induction

Binomial theorem

Series and sequences

Service Learning

Complete a research project while taking part in community service at a local nonprofit organization and developing professional connections. Become familiar with the structure and requirements necessary for a university-level research paper and take part in the peer-review editing process.

Study Skills

Although you may be academically prepared in terms of your knowledge and logical/rational reasoning, it is important to build skills in effectively presenting your ideas. Build these skills to excel in a university classroom.

You will learn:

The range of persuasive expression useful in the classroom

Idiomatic English and the role it plays

The power of descriptive language

What fluency in English actually means

U.S. Culture

Learn to speak in front of a group of people while also talking in a structured way about American culture. In addition to skills needed to speak clearly and with culturally appropriate style, you learn techniques to give prepared speeches and develop skills for more effective impromptu speaking. By the end of the course, you will be able to identify and use the elements that make a strong university-level presentation.

You will learn:

The elements of effective oral communication

How to structure a strong presentation

Essential techniques for discussing data

Ways to approach writing speeches

What to do when faced with impromptu speaking

How to critique and respond to other students' presentations

Methods to make the most of an open-debate forum

Persuasion techniques

Spring Term: January–May (15 Weeks)

Introduction to C++ and Excel

Learn about algorithm development and problem solving with an introduction to object-oriented programming and design. You will also understand Excel at an intermediate level, which includes simple programming.

You will learn:

Careful and methodical development of C++ programs from specifications

Documentation and style

Appropriate use of control structures, data types and

Subprograms

Data abstraction and verification

Numeric and nonnumeric applications

Advanced Writing and Technical Report Writing

Practice writing tasks that are an integral part of thriving at university (and beyond) in the United States. Consider your choices when structuring an argument, and learn how to present data in a consistent manner and organize your thoughts before writing. You also learn how to cite sources, write emails requesting information and advice, identify the essential parts of a purpose statement and craft a résumé tailored to a specific purpose. By the end of the course, you will know what makes a strong research abstract.

You will learn:

Writing research paper abstracts

Citing and paraphrasing sources

Outlining and organizing your ideas

The relative strengths of different essay formats

What to include in a résumé

How to be persuasive in a purpose statement

How to write with a polite, clear tone

Calculus or Multivariable Calculus

Study the topics of calculus of one variable, mainly with derivatives; applications such as graphing and optimization; the idea of integration; and applications such as volumes of revolution. You are expected to understand some theorems and their proofs. This rigorous course emphasizes conceptual understanding and is intended for students in engineering and physical sciences.

You will learn:

Intuitive and precise limit definitions

Continuity

Definition of the derivative

Shortcut rules for finding derivatives

Product rule

Quotient rule

Chain rule

Implicit differentiation

Related rates

Linear approximations and differentials

Mean value theorem

L'Hôpital's rule

Curve sketching

Optimization

Newton's method

Definition of Riemann integral

Fundamental theorem of calculus

Natural logarithm defined as an integral

Area between two curves

Volumes of solids of revolution

How to Thrive at an American University

Prepare to study at U.S. universities by reading about the American Dream and notions of leadership, and then identifying and defining what you wish to achieve by pursuing education in the United States. You also learn about the key skills required to thrive in a largely self-motivated learning environment. By the end of the course, you will be able to articulate specific educational goals and match those goals to your career ambitions.

You will learn:

Freedom of speech

How to offer constructive criticism

In-class discussion participation

The importance of managing resources, including time

Ways to avoid plagiarism

Service Learning

Complete a research project while taking part in community service at a local nonprofit organization and developing professional connections. Become familiar with the structure and requirements necessary for a university-level research paper and take part in the peer-review editing process.

Electives

These courses complement core areas of study. If you have an English-language test score of at least TOEFL 90 or IELTS 7.0, you can choose one elective course on the UC Berkeley main campus or at UC Berkeley Extension; all other students choose one UC Berkeley Extension course. Popular elective course topics include:

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